Thank you to the 65 people who gave us written feedback, and to those who came to our consultation about evening services last Sunday night. It was a thoughtful, worshipful, mission-minded, cooperative conversation and it helped the evening service team come to clear conclusions.
Our hearts were particularly drawn to Acts 2.42-47, where building up a worshipping, learning community is the key to numerical growth. Like Jonah in the fish, we are called to learn to worship; then an “outward” focus will come to the fore as we are sent out.
So from September till February the pattern of our evening services will be as follows:
1st Sunday of the month: A shared agape meal. There will be an informal communion, and we will learn from the Bible together over the meal.
2nd and 5th Sundays of the month: A series of special events ranging from healing services and events for the bereaved or the engaged-to-be-married to “messy church,” discussions on contemporary themes and musical events.
3rd Sunday of the month: A traditional Holy Communion, with organ music and a thoughtful sermon.
4th Sunday of the month: a shared tea, followed by a Songs of Praise service featuring the St Michael’s choir – members of the community share their stories and choose hymns that are significant to them. (Note: the exception to this is October, when we will be joining with Galleywood Methodist Church)
We’ll be making a thoroughgoing review of all our worship in the autumn, and that will recommend a way ahead from March.
Our hearts were particularly drawn to Acts 2.42-47, where building up a worshipping, learning community is the key to numerical growth. Like Jonah in the fish, we are called to learn to worship; then an “outward” focus will come to the fore as we are sent out.
So from September till February the pattern of our evening services will be as follows:
1st Sunday of the month: A shared agape meal. There will be an informal communion, and we will learn from the Bible together over the meal.
2nd and 5th Sundays of the month: A series of special events ranging from healing services and events for the bereaved or the engaged-to-be-married to “messy church,” discussions on contemporary themes and musical events.
3rd Sunday of the month: A traditional Holy Communion, with organ music and a thoughtful sermon.
4th Sunday of the month: a shared tea, followed by a Songs of Praise service featuring the St Michael’s choir – members of the community share their stories and choose hymns that are significant to them. (Note: the exception to this is October, when we will be joining with Galleywood Methodist Church)
We’ll be making a thoroughgoing review of all our worship in the autumn, and that will recommend a way ahead from March.